Crafting the Perfect Turkey Dinner: Essential Dishes for a Memorable Feast

As soon as we put away our Halloween costumes, one thing is on our mind: what to serve at the Thanksgiving table (obviously). Thanksgiving only comes once a year (or twice if you count all those leftovers the next day). And its hard to beat a traditional Thanksgiving feast, from turkey to stuffing to allllll the potatoes with enough gravy to top it all off. And you must save room for dessert. We see a whole lot of pecan pie cheesecake and pumpkin pie in your near future, so definitely save some room (or just take one of those amazing post-turkey naps before digging in again). Be sure to make this Thanksgiving the best one ever with the 50 classic Thanksgiving recipes.

We know that the turkey is the showstopper on the table, but were mostly here for the stuffing. Check out all of our favorite stuffing recipes; our classic stuffing is the undisputed champ of the bunch. Speaking of Thanksgiving sides, we tested (and tested, and tested) our recipes so you can rest assured youll be digging into the most perfect mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and sweet potato casserole ever. Lets just say youll be very happy you have these leftovers for one of these giant Thanksgiving leftover sandwiches.

Still hungry? Round out your meal with plenty of our favorite Thanksgiving desserts (especially this clever Thanksgiving pie board).

This recipe is for everyone who hates sweet potato casseroles with marshmallows—in this recipe, we replace them with a buttery, brown sugar pecan topping that is still perfectly sweet and dessert-worthy. Get the Sweet Potato Casserole recipe.

Our love for crescent roll recipes is no secret. Why make dough from scratch when everyone loves the canned stuff?! These are a fan favorite every fall. They always disappear within minutes, probably because the combo of salty, creamy brie, sweet-tart cranberry sauce, and crunchy pecans is PERFECT.

A Thanksgiving meal is not complete until the turkey is on the table. Turkeys are large, so we get it, but they dont have to be intimidating. The one thing you can do to ensure a bird that stays juicy and doesnt dry out in the oven: Brine it!

For this recipe, we ditched the canned cream of mushroom soup and went for fresh instead. By sautéing mushrooms with sliced onion in butter, youre building a base with some serious depth of flavor. Cook the mushrooms enough that they get a little caramelized, and youll be good to go. Get the Green Bean Casserole recipe.

Every Thanksgiving dessert table needs pumpkin pie. Its basically the law. Weve got tons of tips and tricks for how to bake your best pie ever. Were big fans of making our own pumpkin spice blend too!

Mashed potato casserole is the ultimate holiday side dish we’ve all been waiting for. Its bound to find its way onto your holiday dinner table at some point during the season, but it makes a great side dish any time of the year. Its creamy, fluffy, and oh so cheesy.

Well take Brussels any which way, but we especially love giving them the traditional Thanksgiving treatment—with plenty of butter, cream, and cheese. This method upgrades even the most humble vegetables while still allowing them to be the star of the show—even skeptics will be asking for seconds.

When it comes to the big Thanksgiving feast, we consider the roast turkey and the sweet potato casserole as sides to the STUFFING. A good stuffing makes or breaks Thanksgiving dinner, and this one will absolutely make your holiday meal all the better. Get the Classic Stuffing recipe.

The crown jewel of many holiday meals is a beautifully roasted turkey served with all the classic fixings. From appetizers to dessert a turkey dinner brings comfort, nostalgia, and shared tradition to the table. But what exactly does a well-rounded turkey dinner entail? Let’s explore the essential components for crafting a memorable feast.

The Main Event: Turkey

Naturally, no turkey dinner is complete without the turkey itself! When choosing your bird allow 1-1.5 pounds of turkey per guest. Opt for a free-range or organic turkey for maximum flavor. Thaw in the refrigerator 1-3 days before cooking. On the big day pat dry and rub the turkey with an herb blend. Butter or oil will help the skin crisp up. Place breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan and roast at 350°F until the thigh meat reaches 165°F. Let rest before slicing.

The Supporting Cast: Stuffing and Sides

With your succulent turkey in the spotlight, you’ll need hearty sides to round out the spread.

Stuffing is a must, prepared in a baking dish rather than stuffed in the turkey. Go traditional with a bread stuffing spiked with onion, celery, herbs and broth. For a lighter option, try wild rice stuffing.

Mashed potatoes are another turkey dinner classic. Fluff Yukon gold or russet potatoes with milk, butter and a touch of garlic. Sweet potatoes can also be mashed or cubed and roasted.

Green bean casserole offers nostalgic appeal, while fresh green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts provide a vegetable medley.

Cranberry sauce adds bright tart-sweet flavor. Homemade has more texture than canned.

Biscuits, rolls or cornbread give one more comforting carb option.

Gravy: The Glue that Binds

What pairs better with turkey than velvety gravy? Use pan drippings to craft a simple turkey gravy. Cook flour in the drippings then whisk in broth, herbs and seasonings. Simmer until thickened. Pour over turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes.

Appetizers and Drinks to Start

Guests will work up an appetite, so have appetizers on hand. Cheese and charcuterie plates are easy but elegant options. Vegetable crudité, toasted baguette slices, and turkey meatballs can also start the celebration. Offer festive cocktails like cranberry mimosas too.

The Grand Finale: Dessert

Balance the savory dishes with sweet desserts. No meal is complete without pumpkin and pecan pies. Bake them ahead of time, then refresh in the oven when dinner wraps. Apple pie and fruit cobbler are also pleasing options. Set out whipped cream for topping.

Planning Tips

Hosting the full turkey dinner takes some strategy. Make disposable pans of stuffing and casseroles for easy serving. Cook any dishes that can be prepped ahead. Carve the turkey before guests arrive and keep warm in the oven. Make pie and appetizers 1-2 days ahead too. With the bulk of cooking done early, you can relax and enjoy quality time together.

Feeding a crowd? Try two smaller turkeys rather than one giant bird. Cook one turkey with more basic sides to serve the bulk of guests, then offer another bird with fancy sides for the select VIP table.

When tackling this holiday spread, utilize helper cooks to share tasks. Assign dishes based on each person’s culinary strengths. With many hands on deck, the work will be merry and light.

Shopping List for the Feast

To easily tackle your market list, here is a master turkey dinner shopping checklist:

Turkey (allow 1-1.5 lbs per person)
Herbs and seasonings like sage, rosemary, thyme
Veggies: potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, celery, carrots
Green beans or Brussels sprouts
Fresh cranberries (12 oz bag per 8-10 guests)
Stuffing ingredients like bread cubes, broth, eggs
Butter and oils
Flour, cornstarch
Chicken or turkey broth (6 cups needed per turkey)
Heavy cream or milk
Pecans or walnuts for pie
Appetizer ingredients like cheese, crackers, olives
Fresh herbs for garnish like parsley, thyme
Sparkling cider or other festive beverages
Pumpkins for pies (or use canned)
Apples, berries or other fruit pie fillings
Whipped cream
Rolls or biscuits

With the right ingredients and some planning, you have all you need for crafting a stunning turkey dinner the whole family will remember. Now go relax and enjoy time with your guests while the oven does the hard work!